2006 Motortrike vtx1800 is my next ride....

[Volkemon]

THANKS Richard!

I had talked with Cathy, and indeed we had miscommunication. I was in a noisy environment, and missed something.

Tried one of my Authorized dealers, will have to see if another works better. #1 try has a somewhat convoluted policy of needing a signed document, copy of my drivers licence and copy of my credit card. Not sure why they didnt ask for the last 4 of my SS number and my mothers maiden name, would have made it the PERFECT id theft package..

*edit to remove attachment*

[Volkemon]

Its OURS.

Couldnt find how to edit first post to change subject line. But i did figure out how to manage attachments..

Had not done anything at time of pictures but take the trunk/luggage rack off. Rolled it into the morning sun.

Spent all day yesterday fixing, cleaning and polishing chrome. Still have to get aluminum polish for the wheels, but they look like they were cared for before.

The trunk support WAS a used cutting board, and had MOLD where it sandwiched on luggage rack. Looks SO nice with the large black trunk off.

Have to clean the double sided tape and stick on LED strip off the rack, but will put it back on. It looks like the chrome is OK.

Carrier (2005 Chariot 13' tandem) and Camper (2006 Phoenix Cruiser 2350) in the background. Fit right in with the 2006 VTX!











Pretty sure it needs a new front tire, gets a shake to it at speed. The left exhaust was not put on well, got it on for now. Going to have to do some work to get the tips to be symmetrical, but it is close for now. Hoping these get the sound down to 'stealth' level. They should fit behind the end caps on my tailpipes, and easily removable.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JNDYW81...07PD17D4S?th=1



To respect the 'but loud pipes save lives!!' statements that will follow, I would like to add this for alerting my fellow motorists. (Not to mention maybe a relay..maybe add an aux battery. 18 amp draw! ) This horn is 139dB . Straight pipes are ~125dB, and the horn has a perception of being 'twice as loud' .. (source - https://www.gcaudio.com/tips-tricks/...parison-chart/)

https://www.amazon.com/Stebel-116900...5812100&sr=8-5



5 x 4 1/2 x 3 1/2 deep, have to scout out a good mounting spot. But WOW would that work, and not piss off my neighbors when I take the trike to work at 3:30 AM.

Want to get more of the front floorboards to make Mrs V an entrance step, and to replace the pegs. It is quite the time getting on the back with the tiny 'bird perches'. And i could use the entrance step also to help the hip out.

TONS of wasted room under the stock rear fender, and behind the trunk. Aux battery mounting could be easy. Likewise extra storage.

Not happy with the rear brake action. The rear master applies part of the front brakes, and the drums in back. The cylinders are working, and look like new inside. I took off the drums and observed the shoes move when I pushed the pedal. But still, I dont feel they are working to capacity, at least to the degree I want them to. More testing needed.

Thats all so far, headed out with Mrs V for a short Sunday ride. (Ride #2!)

[Diablo]

For many tires, the last 4 digits of the DOT number is the date code - 2406 means 24th week of 2006, 1218 is 12th week of 2018 etc. SOME tires have it coded, easily found on the internet.

Handy thing to know when buying, as you can use the replacement cost as a bargaining chip.

Have you tried to purchase factory direct? They told me all sales are through authorized dealers, no factory direct sales. Lucky I have 3 in the state, first one didnt do so well. Gonna try #2.

No...So far I haven't had enough ride time to know what if anything is wrong...I was thinking about Fender Bras and that may be my first query to them. If it's dealer only I can respect that but there are lots of ways around that I'm sure.

[Volkemon]

Well, not for me i am thinking. On to the dealer network!

The driveshaft, not the front tire is the suspected cause of vibration now.

To high a frequency for the tire, and it is definitely speed and power related. As you go faster, it gets worse. WAY worse.

At 65 it was blurring my vision, so 50 was the top speed home. DON'T need the honda tranny case FUBAR.

If you go to 60 and pull the clutch, it smooths out nicely. As soon as you apply power, it comes back. Also reduces slightly at neutral throttle and deceleration.

I will pull the cover and look at speed like Richard said. Maybe get the GoPro on it.

The front piece containing half the spline, and the front U joint, is a honda dealer part. The rear spline half rearward is Motortrike. Be nice if it came with rear U joint and coupler for the pinion... But if not I have a press. Might be a good thing, using known molybdenum grease in them also instead of the Vaseline that they seem to come with..

Its OK, probably why the bike wasnt listed for 10K. I got tools and time. If it is the rearend, thats cool too. I can redo a ford 7.5" The cover has been pulled before, and there is black 'gookus' everywhere down there. Not drippy, but a film. Might have to put her up on the RV leveling blocks and roll under again for a look-see.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Levelin.../dp/B00T36J7ZQ used 5 on each side to drive up on in the garage. VERY stable and room for me on a creeper underneath. These are '4x2' or double wide compared to the normal. Work great under rear duallies! Trikes too.

Mrs V and I had a great burger on the beach. https://sandonthebeach.com/ She LOVES the trike.

[Volkemon]

When I had my '85 GL1200A up for sale, it was a really nice bike with some great extras at a low price to move as I was having some serious balance issues turning or looking to left (still do). One guy showed up with trailer and soon started "bargaining". Hell, I knew it needed new tires & told him so (told him my next were to be Avons if I had to keep the bike) before he bent down to look at dates, then I politely hinted for him to leave (I really just gave him directions back to main road so he didn't have to turn around with his trailer as I walked back into my house) after parking my 1200 back on the center stand in my carport and putting my keys in my pocket. And to think, I had even offered him and his buddy a cold soda when they first got here (it was a hot day). He called me one evening a couple weeks after the bike was gone, I guess he "slept" on it after all, just too late.

LOVE the annotations in red. Missed this post before.

Aint that the truth. But yeah, if it is a private sale the rules are different. ESPECIALLY of the price is nice.

In this case, as buyer, I brought a six pack of Yuengling 16oz cans cause it was a dealer. (Asked him his fav flavor via text beforehand ) He said i was the first customer to bring beer. Prolly why he put up with all my questions and crawling under and through the trike.

[3W-lonerider]

sweet looking ride.. love the color, looks amazing.

[Volkemon]

Thanks! We plan on painting the trailer and camper the same color. We both like it. Been waffling on a color for a month or three, so good to have SOMETHING to finalize it.

Got a couple helmets that match the color VERY closely.

UPDATE on Motortrikes.

Spoke with Josephina via phone, then got home to a message on facebook from MT. They are serious about service!

the part numbers for the vtx1800 shaft are: DRSH-750/V1800/V1300 retail cost is $320.00 plus about $15 to ship it. Any dealer or shop can get this ordered for you.

Parts are able to be ordered by *ANY* licensed repair shop. Just not direct to end users. VERY cool. Gonna check out my local Honda dealer, as I am probably going to need the front u joint too.

I still want to verify that is whats the problem. Best guess from the frequency... Not too comfortable trying to look down there at 40+ mph.

Not sure I am comfortable putting it on jack stands and spinning it up that fast. So...guess I order the part.

[Warlock]

Nice looking trike. I have the same kit on my 97 Valkyrie. If you don't have a rake kit I highly recommend it. Makes it so much easier to steer.

David

[Volkemon]

Got a PM to Papa Zook now for details on purchasing one of his kits. After reading the entire thread -

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/thre...from-Papa-Zook

while on Jury Duty yesterday. I was told that the stock parts are black, and mine are polished/chromed all over. Bought the bike used, so learning what has been added. I might have a rake kit. Pretty sure I dont, as the front fender looks to be as close to the radiator as a stock one. I would think with a rake the fender moves away...

ANY help determining this welcome. Never had a bike/trike with raked forks. Wonder if they would have helped with the sidecars, as the Daytona 2+2 on the Goldwing was a handful to steer also.

Someone spent a lot in 2006 to build this trike! Finding out all the parts that went into it. Found the makers of the seat, exhaust, and finally the floorboard covers. I want to get more covers to make an assist step and passenger floorboards for Mrs V. They are evidently out of production, but a shop in Sweden has some, and will combine shipping. I really like them, and I could not find similar replacements.

[Warlock]

You might be able to look at the top triple tree. My oem one had a Honda emblem just right of the center nut. Also look under the triple tree and they are a cast tree where the others are machined. I have a 5 degree on mine and it does well. The VTX is like my Valkyrie and I would recommend at least a 6 degree rake. You will not be sorry.

David

[Papa Zook]

Got a PM to Papa Zook now for details on purchasing one of his kits. After reading the entire thread -

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/thre...from-Papa-Zook

while on Jury Duty yesterday. I was told that the stock parts are black, and mine are polished/chromed all over. Bought the bike used, so learning what has been added. I might have a rake kit. Pretty sure I dont, as the front fender looks to be as close to the radiator as a stock one. I would think with a rake the fender moves away...

ANY help determining this welcome. Never had a bike/trike with raked forks. Wonder if they would have helped with the sidecars, as the Daytona 2+2 on the Goldwing was a handful to steer also.

Someone spent a lot in 2006 to build this trike! Finding out all the parts that went into it. Found the makers of the seat, exhaust, and finally the floorboard covers. I want to get more covers to make an assist step and passenger floorboards for Mrs V. They are evidently out of production, but a shop in Sweden has some, and will combine shipping. I really like them, and I could not find similar replacements.

Based on the pics I've seen, you have the stock trees on your trike.

[Volkemon]

You might be able to look at the top triple tree. My oem one had a Honda emblem just right of the center nut. Also look under the triple tree and they are a cast tree where the others are machined. I have a 5 degree on mine and it does well. The VTX is like my Valkyrie and I would recommend at least a 6 degree rake. You will not be sorry.

David

THANKS for the advice!

Might just do that... see what Papa Zook says. According to his calibrated eyeball, I have no rake now. I will do a more thorough inspection of the parts when I get home, but I saw no ID marks anywhere when i did the polishing.

* and with the rake, I should be able to mount the horn where I want up front. Dont want to be in the 'line of fire' for that beast!

Got good news on the footboards. I LOVE the ones on there, and they are in pretty good shape. BUT... evidently no longer made. Thanks to Ebay, I found some. In Sweden. They are on their way. He has 7 more sets, $50 plus $50 handling for 1 pair, $10 more in handling for any more. All 3 sets were $220 total.

I need 3 more covers for my project, so I got 3 more sets. 1 set for the passenger, 1 set for the single I need for the assist step, and one set to replace the ones I have on there. They look good now, but I know next to new ones they will show age. So everybody gets new! ( I feel like Oprah!! ) and one spare I will hide away with the two used ones in the 'trike stash'.

In case anyone else has these floorboard covers:

(7021 - Küryakyn Floorboard Covers For Honda VTX 1300 & 1800 '03-07)



There are 7 pair left. https://www.ebay.com/itm/293278533912 Guy is a great communicator, and ships quick. Expected here next monday! FROM SWEDEN!!

(other 2 listings were $140 for 2, and $150 + shipping for 2... I got a helluva deal at $220 for 6 IMO!)

The bases are still available from Honda, got 2 left and one right coming with the pins and springs. I will have to make the mounts, no biggie. Gonna look great! About $300 for the 3 bases, pins and springs. So ~$525 total for all. Little more in total than if I went and got 3 sets of aftermarket matching floorboard kits, but not much more! Plus, I really like the ones on there.

Same dealer that is getting the floorboard bases is getting the driveshaft from Motortrikes, and selling me the front u joint. Dont have final pricing on them.. will post when I know. HOPEFULLY then the big spending slows down...for now.. and we enjoy the trike during the Florida winter!

[3W-lonerider]

if your thinking about just replacing the stock honda u-joint. i would highly try to talk you out of it. the new drive shaft and u-joint that motortrike has put together is so much better than stock.

the new ujoint and shaft combo will remove the elliptical issue that the stock system had.

i found that the old honda joint coupled with a motor trike drive shaft would run in an elliptical motion because the ujoint was farther away from the back of the engine.

the new shaft puts the front ujoint closer to the rear of the trans and it runs true and alot smoother without vibration.

[Volkemon]

if your thinking about just replacing the stock honda u-joint. i would highly try to talk you out of it. the new drive shaft and u-joint that motortrike has put together is so much better than stock.

the new ujoint and shaft combo will remove the elliptical issue that the stock system had.

i found that the old honda joint coupled with a motor trike drive shaft would run in an elliptical motion because the ujoint was farther away from the back of the engine.

the new shaft puts the front ujoint closer to the rear of the trans and it runs true and alot smoother without vibration.

Oh CRAP. Are you referring to a VTX 1800 driveshaft?!? I was under the distinct impression that all Motortrike supplied was the rear half of the spline and shaft to connect to the ford 7.5 rear end. The front piece from Honda attaches to the transmission output and contains the front 1/2 of the spline and the front u joint.

I was in communication with Motortrike via messages on facebook, and they are the ones who gave me the part number I ordered. Also informed me I would need the stock Honda front U to complete it.

Are you sure you are not talking about the new 'green' driveshaft for goldwings?

If not I am in for some returns. The Stealer...oOps...Dealer marked the shaft from Motortrike $55 over the retail price I was quoted from MT, added $17.50 for special handling too.

[Warlock]

Oh CRAP. Are you referring to a VTX 1800 driveshaft?!? I was under the distinct impression that all Motortrike supplied was the rear half of the spline and shaft to connect to the ford 7.5 rear end. The front piece from Honda attaches to the transmission output and contains the front 1/2 of the spline and the front u joint.

I was in communication with Motortrike via messages on facebook, and they are the ones who gave me the part number I ordered. Also informed me I would need the stock Honda front U to complete it.

Are you sure you are not talking about the new 'green' driveshaft for goldwings?

If not I am in for some returns. The Stealer...oOps...Dealer marked the shaft from Motortrike $55 over the retail price I was quoted from MT, added $17.50 for special handling too.

The up dated drive shaft is painted green and has a special made spline so it can't be installed wrong and get it out of balance. I installed the new one on my Valkyrie. Just look under yours and see if it is painted green. I would call Motortrike and talk with them about the up dated drive shaft. I guess they build one for the VTX.

David

[Volkemon]

The up dated drive shaft is painted green and has a special made spline so it can't be installed wrong and get it out of balance. I installed the new one on my Valkyrie. Just look under yours and see if it is painted green. I would call Motortrike and talk with them about the up dated drive shaft. I guess they build one for the VTX.

David

A quick web search makes me think your bike and goldwings share a driveshaft? https://mjtrikes.com/shop/index.php?...roducts_id=235

If there is a new one for VTX's, they are keeping it a secret from me!

Interesting you mention ""and has a special made spline so it can't be installed wrong and get it out of balance"".... enlightenment is using backup troops today!

Cause earlier....... I searched the forum for motortrike driveshaft. Found a thread that may have an answer for me... some previous wrench put the driveshaft together out of phase. This would cause vibration. Under it now to remove, re phase, replace and test... will report back. DARE I hope......

[Warlock]

A quick web search makes me think your bike and goldwings share a driveshaft? https://mjtrikes.com/shop/index.php?...roducts_id=235

If there is a new one for VTX's, they are keeping it a secret from me!

Interesting you mention ""and has a special made spline so it can't be installed wrong and get it out of balance"".... enlightenment is using backup troops today!

Cause earlier....... I searched the forum for motortrike driveshaft. Found a thread that may have an answer for me... some previous wrench put the driveshaft together out of phase. This would cause vibration. Under it now to remove, re phase, replace and test... will report back. DARE I hope......

I talked with Motortrike and had a question about my trike and asked about the VTX up date drive shaft. They do not make one for the VTX. So you would use the shaft from Motor Trike and OEM u joint. Just make sure you line them up correct. Not hard to line up as long as you know what to look at.

David

[Volkemon]

Putting the driveshaft in phase turned it from

eyeball shaking vibration

to

Smoooooth to 85.

Bit of a task getting it out, The spring loads it up quite a bit. I used a small visegrip to hold it compressed, and installed in phase. We just came back from the ride.

Also installed the 51mm exhaust baffles. Still has a really nice sound, but no 'snap crackle' on deceleration, and the low end performance is noticeably smoother.

What a day.

And found there is a smiley limit. LOL. ""You have included a total of 39 images in your message. The maximum number that you may include is 16. Please correct the problem and then continue again."" Fixed that too.

[Volkemon]

Ok, pictures.



In the blurry foreground, the bottom U joint cap is part of the shaft. On the other end, you can see its 'mate' is off by a few teeth.



Shaft out, and everything is covered in moly grease. Underneath also, I got pretty dirty. But everything is tight and feels great.

EDIT - you can see the 51mm inserts in the pipes. VERY happy with the sound and performance. Have to get header wrap to tighten the fit a bit.



I locked the spring down after compressing it with the adjustable on top. Worked great!

Little bit of play in the rear end, and might drop that next summer during the hot and rainy. But for now we are on the road in style. Could not be happier.

Gonna keep the new parts as spares. We had wanted to keep this ride for years. Its a LOT brighter possibility now.

[Warlock]

Ok, pictures.



In the blurry foreground, the bottom U joint cap is part of the shaft. On the other end, you can see its 'mate' is off by a few teeth.



Shaft out, and everything is covered in moly grease. Underneath also, I got pretty dirty. But everything is tight and feels great.

EDIT - you can see the 51mm inserts in the pipes. VERY happy with the sound and performance. Have to get header wrap to tighten the fit a bit.



I locked the spring down after compressing it with the adjustable on top. Worked great!

Little bit of play in the rear end, and might drop that next summer during the hot and rainy. But for now we are on the road in style. Could not be happier.

Gonna keep the new parts as spares. We had wanted to keep this ride for years. Its a LOT brighter possibility now.

Some play in the rear end is normal. Also check your hemi joints and lube them. There is a free download on the Goldwing kit and it is the same as ours. There are 2 joints that you should be able to move with your fingers. If not those will need adjusting. Good job on finding the joint miss aligned.

David